Revision as of 10:19, October 4, 2010

The Holy Monastery of St. John the Theologian (Local Name: Áyios Ioánnis Theológos - the Monastery of St. John the Divine), is a fortress style monastery with a monastic community for men on Patmos, founded in 1088 AD by St. Christodoulos the Blessed (also known as the Latrinos), who had been granted the whole island of Patmos with a golden bull by the Emperor of Byzantium Alexis I Komninos. The monastery is under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; and is a Patriarchal exarchate with a Patriarchal exarch (i.e., its abbot has special benefits).

Contents

Monastery Structure

The Monastery has ten chapels, four of which are located in its main courtyard. In the Katholicon of the monastery, there is a temple of unique art, created in 1829, by 12 sculptors.

Saints and Monastics

Image Gallery

Monastery of St. John the Theologian - 1738 entrance with icon of St. John the Theologian and St. Chrysostom, founder of the monastery, both holding the monastery in their hands.

Monastery of St. John the Theologian - Monk praying with prayer rope

Monastery of St. John the Theologian - Courtyard outside the Museum and church

Monastery of St. John the Theologian - Byzantine Bell at the top of monastery

World Heritage Classification, UNESCO

Date of Inscription - 1999

Reference No. 942

Criteria: (iii), (iv) and (vi)

(iii) - The town of Chorá on the island of Pátmos is one of the few settlements in Greece that have evolved uninterruptedly since the 12th century. There are few other places in the world where religious ceremonies that date back to the early Christian times are still being practised unchanged. [1]

(iv) - The Monastery of Hagios Ioannis Theologos (Saint John the Theologian) and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the island of Pátmos, together with the associated medieval settlement of Chorá, constitute an exceptional example of a traditional Greek Orthodox pilgrimage centre of outstanding architectural interest. [2]

(vi) - The Monastery of Hagios Ioannis Theologos and the Cave of the Apocalypse commemorate the site where St John the Theologian (Divine), the “Beloved Disciple”, composed two of the most sacred Christian works, his Gospel and the Apocalypse. [3][4]

↑ Note on Criterion (iv) - A delegate of Thailand raised the question of eligibility of criterion (vi). He thought that the criterion should be applied. This recommendation was also endorsed by ICOMOS and the Committee. Delegates and observers commended the high values of the site and decided to keep the criterion.